Tuesday, September 2, 2014

How Do You Stay Organized? by Andy Scheer

Remember
Daytimers? Years ago, people who needed to keep track of multiple
tasks lugged around those

big notebooks filled with tabbed sections
and calendar pages.

I
never got around to acquiring one. A paper calendar, aided by an
office bulletin board, worked fine for me.

Then
those leading the charge began to keep organized by using
Blackberries. Remember those?

My
calendar and bulletin board still worked fine.

Then
colleagues began trying to stay organized with various computer
programs. I never did find out those programs' names. Except for the
calendar function of Outlook.

When
people at work schedule meetings with me via Outlook, I take a pencil
and write the information on a paper calendar.

When
the battery fails on their smart phones, I try to sympathize. I've
had pens run out of ink or a pencil lead break.

I
have nothing against the latest fad in organizational technology –
so long as its users don't try to force me to adopt it. Over the
years, I've actually learned how to schedule and track projects using
a computer spreadsheet. The program has been around long enough to
prove its worth.

Meanwhile,
the tide may be turning. My boss recently had me drive him to an
office supply store in my minivan, since his car wouldn't hold the
six-foot-long white board he wanted so he could keep track of all his
projects.

5 comments:

Still some of us hold-outs around. Love it. I use the paper calendar and I have a small one about 1/8 the size of a daytimer - keeps all my "stuff" organized. I may resort to a bit larger one - you see, my schedule is getting more and more full. Until I HAVE to, I'm sticking to my small calendar and my daily TO DO LIST. Nice post, Andy

I put things in the calendar on my computer and it pops up reminders but notes of really important things and things I have to do I keep in mind the fact that I am constantly working my email inbox and things stay in that inbox until I deal with them. I send myself an email reminder and I see it constantly until it is done. It also shows up on my phone or any other computer that I might happen to be on.

I have tried many different things over the years but I have a paper calendar that I keep my daily tasks and my conference dates on. I like to see my month at a glance. My get to it list is on post it notes and a yellow lined pad.

I did just figure out how to post reminders in my smart phone but I think I'll just keep Dr. appointments and anniversary dates and prayers for friends surgeries etc. in that.

Thanks Andy. This was a fun post and I am not adverse to trying something new- so the comments are interesting to me. I'll make a note or two if they warrant it. :-).

MEET THE HARTLINE AGENTS

Joyce Hart, Owner and principal agent

Joyce Hart, owner and principal agent of Hartline Literary Agency has been a literary agent for more than a decade. She was formerly the vice president of marketing of an inspirational publishing company and as the president of Hartline Marketing has nearly thirty-two years of successful experience marketing and promoting books. Joyce has been a pioneer in selling high-quality fiction to the inspirational market and has built an excellent rapport with leading inspirational publishers. A member of ACFW, and the National Association of Professional Women, Joyce is a graduate of Open Bible College, Des Moines, IA now merged with Eugene Bible College in Eugene, Oregon. Joyce is based at Hartline Literary's Pittsburgh headquarters.

Diana Flegal, Agent

Diana currently lives in Asheville NC. A Bible College major in Missions and Anthropology, Diana has been a medical missionary to Haiti, a women's speaker and bible study leader. One of her life's highlights has been teaching apologetics to high school students as preparatory for college. Avid reader and intuitive editor, Diana's represents nonfiction and well written fiction. She has a passion for getting great writers published.

Jim Hart, Agent

Jim Hart is looking for authors who can write unique and engaging fictional suspense, romance, women’s fiction, historical fiction and some sci-fi. Jim is also interested in non-fiction regarding church growth, Christian living, and self-help. Keep in mind that non-fiction topics require a certain level of credentials, experience and expertise. The author will need an appropriate platform to present a non-fiction proposal.

Currently Jim is not looking at children’s, young adult or Biblical fiction proposals.

He holds a degree in Production Journalism and worked for twenty years in direct mail advertising before taking a job with an urban social services agency, where he worked for twelve years. All during his professional career, Jim has served with the local church doing youth ministry and music/worship ministry. He is a credentialed minister with the Assemblies of God, and serves part-time as Worship Pastor in his local church in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Linda Glaz, Agent

Linda is an experienced editor, reviewer and writer, and for a couple of years was a final reader for Wild Rose Press, then for White Rose Publishing and she worked as an editorial assistant for Hartline Agent Terry Burns. She has judged for numerous contests including the Genesis for the American Christian Fiction Writers, as well as the Emily Award for the West Houston Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. She has been on the faculty for Faithwriters.com annual conference, Maranatha, and is slated for numerous others in 2013. Linda understands writers because she's a writer herself with 4 books releasing in 2013.linda@hartlineliterary.comhttp://lindaglaz.blogspot.com/

Andy Scheer, Agent

Andy has a wealth of experience as a publishing professional with over 18 years as the managing editor of Moody Magazine, 8 years as the managing editor for the Christian Writer’s Guild, and as a free-lance writer and editor. He is a frequent instructor at writing conferences around the country. A journalism graduate from Colorado State University, he also attended Denver Seminary. Andy is a consummate professional and will be a great addition to the Hartline team.